J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Overview

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of State which implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This Act promotes mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides eligible foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is organized into a number of different categories. The OIS has been designated to sponsor the following categories: Student, Student Intern, Professor, Research Scholar and short-term Scholar. You can find a breakdown of these categories, their use, the eligibility requirements, and the application process on our J-1 category overview page. The OIS manages the license to host J-1 Exchange Visitors and as a result the OIS advisors can issue visa certificates (Form DS-2019) for the applicants, which they will need to obtain their visa in their home country. The OIS advisors are trained officers who can help you understand applicable Federal, State and university regulations and policies.

It is important to remember that the Exchange Visitor Program at NC State University is not a primary or simply expedient means of employing foreign nationals (or- from the Scholar’s point of view – for working in the U.S.), but is intended to further the educational, cultural, and research interests of the foreign student or scholar as much as the needs of the faculty sponsor, grant program, or University.

Additional information:

For detailed information on the Exchange Visitor Program, please visit the Department of State’s extensive website on the J-1 Program.